nosebleeds in children

Nosebleeds in Children

Treatment For Children In Richmond, VA

Nosebleeds occur when a blood vessel in the nose tissues has broken, causing blood to spill from a nostril. Because the nostrils contain many blood vessels, this is a fairly common issue, especially in children. As a parent, we understand it can be concerning when your child is bleeding from their nose. Our team at Virginia Ear, Nose & Throat is here to help you understand nosebleeds in children and know the difference between a nosebleed that can be remedied at home vs. when to call an ENT specialist.

What Are Nosebleeds?

The thin tissues inside the nostrils contain many blood vessels. These tissues are very sensitive—and if irritation or injury occurs, it can cause blood vessels to break, leading to blood spilling from a nostril. Bleeding is usually mild, and only lasts a few minutes. However, in some cases, bleeding can be heavier and last several minutes or more.

Children are very prone to breaking blood vessels in the nose for many reasons. Children tend to blow their nose hard, and pick, rub and scratch at the nose, leading to irritation. While occasional, light bleeding from the nose is not concerning, heavier or chronic nosebleeds may indicate an underlying condition that requires evaluation by a specialist.

Causes Of Nosebleeds

Occasional bleeding from the nose in children can be caused by many factors, including:

  • Dry, cold weather

  • Rubbing or picking at the nose

  • Blowing the nose hard

  • Seasonal allergies

  • New medications

Bleeding can also be caused by an injury to the face. If your child has sustained an injury and feels dizzy, lightheaded or has lost consciousness, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

When To Treat A Nosebleed At
Home Vs. When To Call A Specialist

Mild bleeding from the nose that is caused by changes in the weather, rubbing or picking and allergies can typically be treated at home. If your child is bleeding from their nostrils, follow these tips to stop the bleeding:

  • Have your child sit up and slightly forward. Having your child lean back could cause them to swallow blood, which can irritate the stomach.

  • Pinch all the soft parts of the nose together between your thumb and the side of your index finger or soak a cotton ball with Afrin, Neo-Synephrine, or Dura-Vent spray and place this into the nostril.

  • Press firmly but gently with your thumb and the side of your index finger toward the face, compressing the pinched parts of the nose against the bones of the face

  • Hold that position for a full five minutes by the clock

  • Keep the head higher than the level of the heart. Sit up or lie back a little with the head elevated

  • Apply ice – crushed in a plastic bag or washcloth – to the nose and cheek

If your child’s nosebleed is accompanied by an injury to the face, fever, or headache, seek medical attention right away. If the bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes, contact our team at Virginia Ear, Nose, & Throat. Our team may be able to perform a chemical cauterization (burning) of the enlarged blood vessels using a silver nitrate stick to stop bleeding. If nosebleeds are chronic, our team can review your child’s medical history, conduct a thorough evaluation of their nose and determine if an underlying disease or allergy may be the cause, and what treatment is required.